Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) confirmed Tuesday that she is under active federal criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice due to allegations that the “Squad” member misused federal funds that were intended to be used for the Democrat lawmaker’s security.
House Reading Clerk Susan Cole disclosed a subpoena announcement regarding the criminal investigation to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Monday on behalf of the House Sergeant at Arms William McFarland. The announcement was later linked to the Justice Department’s investigation of Bush.
According to The Daily Wire, the Justice Department’s criminal probe into the Democrat lawmaker is based on allegations regarding her Member Representation Allowance and the misuse of federal funds. Data provided by the Federal Election Commission shows that Bush’s campaign has spent over $750,000 on security since 2019.
On Tuesday, Bush confirmed the Justice Department’s investigation, telling reporters that the outspoken “Defund the Police” advocate holds both herself and her campaign to “the highest levels of integrity.”
“I also believe in transparency, which is why I can confirm that the Department of Justice is reviewing my campaign’s spending on security services,” Bush said. “We are fully cooperating in this investigation.”
The Democrat lawmaker claimed that she has “endured relentless threats” since running for public office and that she is “not entitled to personal protection” as a “rank-and-file” Congresswoman. Due to safety concerns, Bush said she has used “permissible” funds donated to her campaign to cover the cost of security services.
“I have not used any federal tax dollars for personal security services,” Bush added. “Any reporting that I have used funds for personal security is simply false.”
Bush blamed “right-wing organizations” for bringing what she described as “baseless complaints” against her over the past several months regarding her use of campaign funds for private security services. Bush also claimed that her campaign has acted in accordance with the law.
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The Democrat lawmaker noted that the allegations raised against her have centered around her husband’s role as a member of her security team. Bush claimed that she hired her husband as part of her security team due to his “extensive experience” and his ability to “provide the necessary services at or below a fair market rate.”
In her concluding remarks, Bush indicated that she believes the Department of Justice’s criminal investigation will ultimately be dismissed.
